Liverpool transfer analysis: Was the summer window a success for Arne Slot's side after Alexander Isak deadline deal?

Liverpool spent more than any other club have in a single transfer window in the history of football, and their team has significantly changed from their title-winning squad of last season.

Having spent in the region of £450m this summer - inclusive of add-ons - the Merseysiders set the record for the most money ever spent in one window.

Liverpool's latest signing was Alexander Isak on transfer deadline day, and his arrival took the Reds' total number of incomings to nine.

The club's activity in the market this summer is a stark contrast to their business in 2024, when their only first-team addition was the £10m signing of Federico Chiesa, who started just once in the top flight in 2024-25.

Here, Sports Mole analyses Liverpool's incomings and outgoings, and assesses whether the summer transfer window has been a success.

Liverpool's first-team incomings this summer window

The bulk of Liverpool's outlay this summer was in the forward line, with Florian Wirtz, Isak and Hugo Ekitike all arriving at Anfield, and the former two commanded fees in excess of £100m.

Slot's side were the Premier League's leading scorers in 2024-25 having netted 86 times, 14 more than third-placed Manchester City and 17 more than second-placed Arsenal.

While many might have raised eyebrows at the decision to spend so heavily in forward areas, the club have likely sanctioned such deals in preparation for Mohamed Salah's eventual exit.

The Egyptian scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists in the league last term, but considering he is 33 years old, there is a risk of decline in the coming campaigns.

Despite the focus on strengthening up front, the club have also signed full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, who are both athletic ball carriers capable of contributing in the final third.

Kerkez was arguably the best left-back in the Premier League in 2024-25, while Frimpong played a key role in Bayer Leverkusen's title-winning season of 2023-24.

Centre-back Giovanni Leoni was also signed this summer, and the 18-year-old could have been brought to Anfield as an eventual successor to Virgil van Dijk, who is 34 years old.

Unfortunately for Slot, a deal for central defender Marc Guehi failed to materialise on deadline day, though the Dutch boss will still be able to call upon Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Van Dijk and Leoni in 2025-26.

Liverpool's first-team outgoings this summer window

Perhaps the most high-profile exit from Anfield was Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left to join Real Madrid after Liverpool accepted a £10m offer with just a month left on his contract.

The defender was not the only backline departure given centre-back Jarell Quansah was sold to Bayer Leverkusen, while left-back Kostas Tsimikas joined Roma on loan.

Backup goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher often deputised for Alisson Becker, but he was signed by Brentford this summer, though Giorgi Mamardashvili was added to the Reds squad to mitigate the loss of the Irishman.

A number of fringe players also left Anfield, with the likes of Tyler Morton, Ben Doak and Harvey Elliott leaving, and the latter had previously been a regular under Jurgen Klopp.

Winger Luis Diaz and striker Darwin Nunez left to join Bayern Munich and Al-Hilal respectively, and their sales contributed significantly to the club's income of more than £200m.

It should be noted that striker Diogo Jota tragically passed away in a car accident in July, and while it is vital to remember him as a person beyond the footballer, his death did leave a gap in Slot's squad.

Are Liverpool stronger this Premier League season than when they won the title?

Liverpool had to replace the creativity of Alexander-Arnold, and while he has started slowly, the addition of Wirtz will ensure that the team can continue to break down stubborn defences.

There is an argument that Isak's signing was not a necessity considering Ekitike has looked promising in attack so far, scoring two goals in his first three games, but the Reds would have only had four forwards for three positions had they withdrawn their interest in the Swedish striker.

Given Isak has proven himself for Newcastle United - he netted 23 times for the club in the league in 2024-25 - he will almost certainly hit the ground running.

Ekitike and Isak scored 38 goals between them in their respective leagues, with their combined totals more than Nunez, Diaz and Jota managed in the English top flight last term (24).

In defence, Konate and Gomez have been prone to picking up injuries, so perhaps the failure to land Guehi could negatively impact the team's ability to retain the title.

However, the former played 31 times in the Premier League last season, while the latter is unlikely to earn many minutes regardless of injuries, and the club will be confident of getting by with their group of four centre-backs.

After spending more than £400m in one summer and signing some of the world's most desired players, it is hard to look at the transfer window as anything other than an unmitigated success.